NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Aug. 11, 2010) - Gen. Dempsey, commanding general of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command spoke to the TRADOC G-3/5/7 conference attendees at the Omni Hotel in Newport News, Va.

The conference took place Aug. 10-11 and covered the milestones ahead throughout the entire force. Staff from various installations attended and engaged in dialogue with the leadership of G-3/5/7.

In coming together and establishing face-to-face contact, attendees were able to express concerns and offer solutions.

"We came here to accomplish and develop personal relationships with the G-3/5/7s throughout TRADOC," said Brig. Gen. Richard C. Longo, deputy chief of staff for G-3/5/7. "It is my belief that our system, in general, is under considerable stress and when a system is under stress, it is often personal relationships that allow us to continue to operate at some level and we did accomplish that."

Discussion topics included TRADOC Campaign Plan 2011-12, Army Training and Education Development, the way ahead, and subordinate command overviews.

Dempsey delivered an energized focus to the conference on the Aug. 11.

"Believe it or not there will be a post-Iraq and Afghanistan [War] and if we don't get ready for it now, we will commit the sins of our forefathers -- one of whom is me -- and we will do things not fully appreciating what outcomes we seek and the second order effects of that," he said."What all of you should be thinking is not how to preserve that which we are doing, but how to change to adapt to the reality we see."

Dempsey opened the floor for discussion and gave words of appreciation, encouragement, and thanks to the G-3 staff.

"I think we are doing a great job and we're doing it at a remarkably modest level of resources -- I actually think we are doing pretty darn well."

Among the key leader contributing attendees was Michael Formica, who was inducted in the senior executive service as the assistant deputy chief of staff, G- 3/5/7on Aug. 19.

Longo closed the conference satisfied with the progress made.

"It's my fifth day on the job and I'm learning about the TRADOC organization at large and what my role is which is very important to me. I was impressed by the information that was brought to the table."

"I don't think people outside TRADOC have an appreciation of the great work that gets done by all the great people who are here," he said.